Topics

Hockey fans in Ottawa were sitting on pins and needs because the Senators captain had not officially closed the door on either the Boston Bruins on Detroit Red Wings Thursday night with the possibility of becoming a unrestricted free agent at noon Friday looming large. Alfredsson shut it down for the night at 3 a.m. in Sweden.

The Sun has confirmed Alfredsson had telephone discussions with Boston GM Peter Chiarelli and Detroit GM Ken Holland to get an idea of what they are planning, but Alfredsson has maintained re-signing in Ottawa is his top priority.

He and his wife Bibi were huddled at their home in Sweden late Thursday trying to decide whether he'd continue to negotiate a deal with the Senators or head to a place like Boston or Detroit to expedite the opportunity to win a Stanley Cup before he retires.

Earlier in the day, there was hope he'd already decided to stay in Ottawa. Asked if he had extended with the Senators, Alfredsson told SVT he was closing in on a deal.

"Not quite done yet, we're in negotiations but I hope it gets done (Thursday) or (Friday)," said Alfredsson.

That wasn't the case.

His Kelowna-based agent J.P. Barry said late Thursday he was in discussion with the club's captain and "no decision" has been made on whether he'll test the market or come back to Ottawa for his 18th season with the Senators.

The Bruins and Wings were among a group of six teams that called Alfredsson's camp. It's believed the San Jose Sharks and Montreal Canadiens were both prepared to make offers, but they weren't in the mix.

Either the Bruins or Wings would be a nice fit. Detroit already has Swedish stars Henrik Zetterberg, Niklas Kronwall, Jonathan Ericsson and Johan Franzen in their room. Chiarelli and Alfredsson have a relationship from their days in Ottawa.

Murray is confident Alfredsson will be back for his 18th season and wondered what all the fuss was about when speaking with reporters at the Canadian Tire Centre.

"I guess it's the big issue in town now," said Murray. "I didn't realize it was that big an issue because we're going to get it done I would assume."

Murray said the discussions with Barry have been cordial and he certainly doesn't think the captain is going anywhere.

"Alfie and I talked about three days before he went back to Sweden. We talked about the ability to add to our team going forward and whether we're going to be better this year," said Murray.

"I've talked to J.P. Barry three times. It was decided we would talk one year at a time. They will come back to me with the dollar figure. I have not heard the dollar figure."

Murray said he told Barry just to get Alfredsson to name his price. The Senators were waiting to hear.

"(Barry) said, 'Why don't you make an offer.' It was simply like this: 'Talk to Alfie and ask him how much he needs to play in Ottawa,' " Murray said. "I assume they will call me (Thursday) and we'll have an opportunity to talk and decide where we're going. That's where it's at."

Murray said he doesn't blame other teams for calling Alfredsson during the two-day window to hold talks.

"I understand if another manager calls. That's their job ... that's my job," said Murray. "I'm calling other free agents and they belong to other teams. That's our job to investigate every player that could be out there. So I'm doing that. And if Boston is doing that or San Jose is doing that, good for them."

Hockey fans in Ottawa were sitting on pins and needs because the Senators captain had not officially closed the door on either the Boston Bruins on Detroit Red Wings Thursday night with the possibility of becoming a unrestricted free agent at noon Friday looming large.

The Sun has confirmed Alfredsson had telephone discussions with Boston GM Peter Chiarelli and Detroit GM Ken Holland to get an idea of what they are planning, but Alfredsson has maintained re-signing in Ottawa is his top priority.

He and his wife Bibi were huddled at their home in Sweden late Thursday trying to decide whether he'd continue to negotiate a deal with the Senators or head to a place like Boston or Detroit to expedite the opportunity to win a Stanley Cup before he retires.